Surgical Treatment of Oral Cavity Cancer: Resection and Neck Management

Clinical Scenario

This protocol addresses the primary curative-intent management of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in patients eligible for surgical treatment. The approach prioritises oncologic adequacy while minimising procedure-related morbidity, particularly in early-stage disease.

Treatment Approach

Management centres on surgical resection as the primary curative intervention, with the extent of neck management determined by specific tumor characteristics — including depth of invasion. The complete sequence, eligibility criteria, and surgical algorithm are outlined in the full protocol.

Full regimen details, node management thresholds, and clinical decision points are available in the structured protocol below.

Instant Access to Structured Evidence-Based Regimens

References

DOI: 10.1200/EDBK_389810

Surgery is ideally the primary treatment option for nonmetastatic OSCC, and less invasive curative surgical approaches are preferred in early-stage disease to minimize surgical-related morbidity.

Surgery remains the primary treatment approach for OSCC.

NCCN guidelines recommend proceeding with an elective neck dissection (END) for tumors with a depth of invasion (DOI) over 3 mm.

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